How to Dump Your Hairdresser 2009-12-10 06:00:55

How to Break Up With Your Stylist

Unfortunately, there comes a time when certain relationships must end. Now I know that most of you are loyal to your hairstylist, but has there ever been a time when you feel you must, for some reason or another, break up with your stylist? That's just what author Joydene L. Speyer examines in her book, Dump 'Em: How to Break Up With Anyone From Your Best Friend to Your Hairdresser ($11). If you've developed a friendship with your stylist, don't just dump them never to return, Speyer says. Not only could this swift and cold action hurt their feelings, but just think how uncomfortable it could be if you happen to run into them eventually. To get her tips for breaking it off with your stylist, some of which are a bit goofy, just keep reading.

The dump: Speyer recommends stopping by the salon or calling your stylist for the actual dumping. She advises that you should first let him or her know that you are uncomfortable with the situation and simply tell them that things just aren't working out. (Don't forget to thank your stylist for her hard work.) If your stylist sincerely asks for another try, Speyer says go for it, but just make it clear that it's a one-more-chance kind of deal.

Still not sure?: Send her flowers, with a note that says, "Thank you for all your wonderful haircuts throughout the years. I've decided to take my hair in a new direction."

Yet another option: This one's my favorite. Tell your hairdresser that you've received a gift certificate to another salon and you're going to try it out.

If you're really desperate: Tell your stylist you're growing your hair out really long and won't be needing haircuts for a while.

I just had a cut this week from a guy who cut my hair 4 times. He didn't cut it the way I specified, and I am kind of looking into getting a cut from someone else within the salon. I like the place and have seen other stylists work there and they seem to be good, so I hope I can be able to just silently switch over.

Okay - I am good friends with my stylist and I get a discount on my services from her. But lately, money is so tight that even with the discount, I just can't afford the cut and color. I've dreaded the day that I have to tell her I can't afford to come. I love how she cuts my hair and am debating telling her I'm going to try the at home dye jobs for awhile and just pay for cuts. But I'm in love with the colors she gives me and my natural color is so ugly and unflattering that growing it out is not an option.For someone who has been with their stylist for 8 years, knows her children, meets for lunch or to go out occassionally, this is not an easy thing to do!

Okay - I am good friends with my stylist and I get a discount on my services from her. But lately, money is so tight that even with the discount, I just can't afford the cut and color. I've dreaded the day that I have to tell her I can't afford to come. I love how she cuts my hair and am debating telling her I'm going to try the at home dye jobs for awhile and just pay for cuts. But I'm in love with the colors she gives me and my natural color is so ugly and unflattering that growing it out is not an option.
For someone who has been with their stylist for 8 years, knows her children, meets for lunch or to go out occassionally, this is not an easy thing to do!

Amen, redrover. I totally agree. Of course, I have yet to find a stylist that I go back to more than 3 times, and usually it's only once. That's why I keep my (fine, straight, uncolored) hair mid-length and have my bf trim the ends straight across every now and then. Whenever stylists attempt anything, it always looks worse than when it's just natural, plus I'm out 80 bucks. I usually have a perfectly pleasant appointment (even if I'm 'meh' about the cut later), but I'm not much of a talker in that situation so I tend not to 'bond' with whoever is doing my hair.

Ok, at the risk of sounding really rude, this book sounds stupid. If you don't want to go to your stylist anymore, it's for one of three reasons:
a.) they are too expensive
b.) they are not doing a satisfactory job of cutting or styling your hair
c.) you want to try someone else
I realize that there's a subculture surrounding a woman's "relationship" with her stylist, but let's all admit: these people are employees performing a service for you. You pay them to cut your hair. Unless your hair stylist is your sister-in-law or your best friend, you don't need to "break up with them". Give them flowers? Come on. Customers come and go - that's how a business works.

Ok, at the risk of sounding really rude, this book sounds stupid. If you don't want to go to your stylist anymore, it's for one of three reasons:a.) they are too expensiveb.) they are not doing a satisfactory job of cutting or styling your hairc.) you want to try someone elseI realize that there's a subculture surrounding a woman's "relationship" with her stylist, but let's all admit: these people are employees performing a service for you. You pay them to cut your hair. Unless your hair stylist is your sister-in-law or your best friend, you don't need to "break up with them". Give them flowers? Come on. Customers come and go - that's how a business works.